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Lescott on trial to be England's reserve left-back

Joleon Lescott has previous experience at left back for club and country © Getty Images

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Joleon Lescott will be on trial as an emergency left-back as England coach Fabio Capello tries to find a solution to what has suddenly become a problematic area.

Capello plans to call up both Stephen Warnock and Leighton Baines as he faces a crisis with Ashley Cole injured and Wayne Bridge opting out of a confrontation with John Terry.

While it has been widely assumed that the battle for left-back will be between Warnock and Baines, Soccernet understands that Lescott will also be considered for the vulnerable position - with the England camp concerned that Cole might yet not make it to the finals despite optimism from both the player and his club.

Capello will look closely at both Baines and Warnock in training before deciding whether to start with one and the other play the second half. Alternatively, Capello is toying with the idea of testing Lescott out at left-back, as he has experience of that position, and is also one of the more established England internationals.

Lescott played at left-back under Steve McClaren but generally disappointed, especially in the loss in Croatia in the qualifying campaign for Euro 2008. Capello is worried that Cole has little time to prove his fitness and might even suffer a further injury setback, so he is looking at all options, albeit limited ones. It is easy to see why he has been shocked at Bridge's decision and has left the door open for him to return.

Soccernet can reveal that Bridge's explanation for his self-imposed exile is that he has stepped down for "the good of the team". Bridge is so angry with John Terry that said he couldn't be held responsible for his actions. Although he would attempt to keep calm and he would put up with being in his company, he was afraid that he might crack, react and wreck the squad's unity.

Bridge explained that the conflict with Terry goes much deeper than anyone has believed. Once great mates, Bridge feels so deeply betrayed by Terry that he simply "cannot stand him", and might "say something, or do something" that would be detrimental to England's cause in South Africa.

The England camp, though, are trying to impress upon Bridge that it is their job to maintain team spirit. But Bridge's feelings against Terry run far too deep. Terry has tried on several occasions to contact Bridge, but Bridge simply refuses to take any of his calls, recognising his numbers or hanging up if he hears his voice. That has given Terry no opportunity to apologise, if indeed that has been his intention.

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